Ascension Island: Feral Cat Control

Lord Beaumont of Whitley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Answer by the Baroness Scotland of Asthal on 20 March (H.L. Deb., cols. 7-9), whether their feral cat control programme for Ascension Island has been put into operation; if so, what are the results; and, if not, by when they hope to have it completed.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The Ascension Island feral cat programme (funded by the FCO) started on 29 May. It is proceeding satisfactorily. We are receiving weekly reports from the Administrator of Ascension. The programme should be completed by October. This timing should ensure a successful breeding season for Ascension's colony of sooty terns, which has suffered heavily from predation from the feral cats.

Sudan

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they agree with the proposition in the resolution from the United States House of Representatives on 15 June 1999 that the National Islamic Front government is systematically committing genocide in the Southern Sudan; whether this conclusion is confirmed by the Canadian government's Harker report and by reports from the United Nations special rapporteurs; what consequences, if any, there are for relations between the United Kingdom and the Sudan; and what concerted international action would be appropriate.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: We are deeply concerned about the continuing conflict in the Sudan, which has led to so much suffering. We are not aware of any reference by Harker or by the UN Special Rapporteur, Leonardo Franco, to genocide; nor do we have other compelling evidence of systematic genocide.
	Her Majesty's Government remains committed to working with international partners in search of a peaceful settlement to the conflict through enagement with all parties to the conflict.

Peru

Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether, following the Declaration by the Presidency of the European Union of 26 May on the withdrawal of the European Union's electoral observation mission from Peru, and the Preliminary Report to the Secretary-General of the Organisation of American States (OAS) by the Head of the OAS Electoral Observation Mission, Dr Eduardo Stein, of 31 May, they will now consult with other European Union governments on the measures to be taken to persuade the government of Peru to return to constitutionality and genuine democracy; and whether in the meanwhile they will invite the former Peruvian presidential candidate Alejandro Toledo to Britain for discussions on further initiatives to promote the rule of law in Peru.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The United Kingdom has played a leading role in the European Union in calling for free and fair elections in Peru. We discussed the issue with our European partners in Brussels on 31 May and 7 June and member states released a statement on 9 June reaffirming our continuing concerns over the irregularities and anomalies in the election process. We fully support the decision by the OAS to send a mission to Peru to examine ways of strengthening democracy. At present, there are no plans to invite Alejandro Toledo to the United Kingdom, but he would of course be welcome if he were to come.

European Agreement Relating to Persons Participating in Proceedings of the European Court of Human Rights

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they intend to ratify the European Agreement Relating to Persons Participating in Proceedings of the European Court of Human Rights; and, if not, why not.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The Government intend to ratify the European Agreement Relating to persons Participating in Proceedings of the European Court of Human Rights in the near future.

Older People: Report Recommendations

Lord Barnett: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When the report of the Better Government for Older People Programme will be published.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: All Our Futures, the report of the Better Government for Older People programme, is being published today. Copies are being placed in the Libraries of the House.
	The Government are committed to better policy making and more responsive public services as part of the Modernising government agenda. The recommendations of the Better Government for Older People programme, a unique partnership between central and local government, the voluntary sector and the academic world, provide new evidence of how to combat age discrimination, better engage with older people, improve decision-making, better meet older people's needs and promote a strategic and joined-up approach to an ageing population. The Inter-Ministerial Group on Older People will now consider the recommendations carefully with a view to early action and a full response.

Departmental Cars

Lord Hoyle: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by Lord Falconer of Thoroton on 8 June, what type and make of cars are used by the Treasury.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: The Treasury does not use any cars other than those provided under contract with the Government Car and Despatch Agency, which are provided for Ministers and Senior Officials.

Judges: Guidance on Outside Activities and Interests

Baroness Howells of St Davids: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the Lord Chancellor has completed the review of the guidance which is given to judges on outside activities and interests.

Lord Irvine of Lairg: Yes. I am placing in the Libraries of both Houses the revised guidance which will be used in future. I am satisfied that the substance of the existing guidance, which is of long standing, remains basically sound. It is necessarily of a general kind, for application in individual circumstances. I am satisfied that it strikes an appropriate balance in discouraging activities or interests which may be seen to undermine judicial impartiality, or conflict with judicial office, without being unduly restrictive. I have at the same time made a number of detailed changes in the text and added a statement of general principles. I will wish to keep the new guidance under review in the light of experience. The general guidance on outside activities and interests is separate from any question of conflict of interest arising in individual cases on which the Court of Appeal recently gave further authoritative guidance in its judgment in the case of Lockbail (UK) Ltd v Bayfield Properties Ltd.

Bulgarian Citizens: UK Visas

Baroness Rawlings: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How far they have progressed in lifting the visa requirements for Bulgarian citizens coming to the United Kingdom.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: There are no plans to lift the visa regime on Bulgaria.

Prison Governors' Adjudications

Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they are satisfied that governors' adjudications are compatible with Article 6.1 of the European Convention on Human Rights (the right to a fair and impartial tribunal) in the light of Campbell & Fell v United Kingdom (1984) and Article 5.4 (Weeks v United Kingdom).

Lord Bassam of Brighton: We consider that the current arrangements for disciplinary adjudications by governors are compatible with the European Convention on Human Rights.

Kainos Community: Prison Work

Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What progress has been made with the independent evaluation of the work of Kainos in prisons; and when they expect to publish the report.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: A number of researchers and research organisations identified by the Research, Development and Statistics Directorate of the Home Office have been invited to tender for this contract. The tenders are currently being evaluated jointly by the Research, Development and Statistics Directorate, the Prison Service, and Kainos Community, who are funding the research and letting the contract. The report is expected to be available in August 2001.

Police Complaints System

Lord Cocks of Hartcliffe: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Who were the members of the group convened by the human rights organisation Liberty which produced the independent report on the future of the police complaints system, referred to in the Home Office Consultation Paper Complaints Against the Police.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: The Liberty report entitled An Independent Police Complaints Commission was researched and produced by James Harrison and Mary Cunneen of Liberty. Their work was overseen by an advisory committee comprised of:
	The right honourable Lord Archer of Sandwell QC;
	Nicholas Blake QC, Barrister;
	Stephen Cragg, Barrister;
	Professor Brice Dickson, Chief Commissioner, Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission;
	Chief Constable George Hedges QPM, Chair, Association of Chief Police Officers Police Complaints and Discipline Sub-Committee;
	Sadiq Khan, Solicitor, Christian Fisher and Co;
	Professor Mike Maguire, University of Cardiff;
	Tony Mason, Secretary, Police Federation Committee on Police Complaints and Discipline;
	Professor Mike McConville, University of Warwick;
	Molly Meacher, Acting Chair, Police Complaints Authority;
	Peter Moorhouse, Former Chair, Police Complaints Authority;
	John Webber, Solicitor, Russell Jones and Walker;
	Ian Westwood, Vice Chair, Police Federation; and Home Office officials also attended as observers.
	Members of the Committee agreed the terms of reference for the research and contributed to the final report by attendance at regular meetings, suggesting lines of research, and advising on the viability of proposals. The views contained in the report are those of Liberty and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of all the members of the Committee.

South London Murders: Classification

Lord Tebbit: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the killing of Constance Brown, aged 72, in Natal Road, Streatham, on 2 April 1993, was classified as a racist crime; and
	Whether the killing of Elizabeth Pinhom, aged 96, at her home in Sunray Avenue, Herne Hill, on 9 June 1997, was classified as a racist crime; and
	Whether the killing of Mr Thomas Kidd of Tulse Hill, on 6 May 1995, was classified as a racist crime; and
	Whether the killing of Mr Ted Howell, aged 75, at his home in Romborough Road, Lewisham, on 9 November 1995, was classified as a racist crime; and
	Whether the killing of Frank Demsey, aged 56, in Clapham Park Road, on 7 February 1995, was classified as a racist crime.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: I understand from the Commissioner that none of these incidents was classified as a racist crime.

Rural Policing

Baroness Lockwood: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What additional support they intend to provide to the police service for addressing rural crime.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: My right honourable friend the Home Secretary is announcing today that £15 million of the £91 million for police modernisation will be used to meet the special needs of rural policing. We are discussing with the police service how this money is to be allocated to improve performance. In particular, we shall be discussing a national standard response time for emergency calls in rural areas. Additional funding for future years will be considered as part of the Spending Review 2000 process.

Metropolitan Police: Performance Assessment

Baroness Gould of Potternewton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When they expect the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis to publish full-year data for the performance of the Metropolitan Police in relation to its policing plan for 1999–2000.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis included performance data for the first 11 months of the last financial year, and projected performance in its final month, in his Policing and Performance Place for 2000–01, which he published on 31 March, on the Metropolitan Police Webside http://www.met.police.uk.
	The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis tells my right honourable friend, the Home Secretary, that he expects to publish a hard copy version of the Plan on 21 June. This will include full-year performance data for 1999–2000. These data confirm, I understand, the provisional out-turns included in the version of the plan published on 31 March.
	I am, therefore, today placing proof copies of the plan in the Printed Paper Office, and in the Library.

Robbery

Lord Peston: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they intend to provide additional support to the Police Service for reducing robbery.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: I am announcing today the allocation of £20 million additional resources for tackling robbery in the five metropolitan areas in which 70 per cent of all robberies take place, and for which challenging targets have been set for the police forces concerned by their respective police authorities. The £20 million forms part of the £91 million which my right honourable friend the Chancellor of the Exechequer allocated in the Budget for additional measures to support the delivery of crime reduction.
	The specific amounts being made available are:
	
		
			  £ million 
			 Metropolitan Police 9.1 
			 West Midlands 3.3 
			 Greater Manchester 3.2 
			 West Yorkshire 2.6 
			 Merseyside 1.8 
		
	
	The five forces will now be drawing up plans to achieve early reductions in robbery levels.

Airport Runways: Increased Capacity

Lord Berkeley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will publish the terms of reference to the consultation in respect of additional airport runway capacity in the South East; and which bodies they have invited to respond.

Lord Macdonald of Tradeston: Terms of reference for the South East and East of England Regional Air Services (SERAS) study were published, after public consultation, on 9 February. Copies are available from the House Libraries.
	The commissioning of the SERAS study, and the consultation on the proposed appraisal framework to be used in that study, has resulted in a wide range of organisations making representations.
	We are currently in the early stages of assessing options, at both existing airports and possible new sites. We will proceed through successive sifts to narrow down options to a final shortlist, on which there will be a full public consultation before Ministers come to decisions.

Airport Runways: Increased Capacity

Lord Berkeley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they support British Airways' proposals for a third runway at Heathrow submitted in response to a two-year government consultation programme.

Lord Macdonald of Tradeston: As the then Minister for Transport announced on 11 March 1999, the South East and East of England Regional Air Services (SERAS) study will examine a wide range of options and has started from the position that nothing is ruled in and nothing is ruled out.
	Options will be appraised through a process of successive sifts. A very large number of options will be considered during the sifting process, which is designed to reduce the options to a manageable number, so that those can be appraised in sufficient detail to support a meaningful public consultation at the end of the study.
	Until then, it would be premature to comment on the status of any option.

Airport Runways: Increased Capacity

Lord Berkeley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How a consultation programme for additional runway capacity in the South East will be undertaken alongside the inquiry into Terminal 5 at Heathrow.

Lord Macdonald of Tradeston: It is expected that the South East and East of England Regional Air Services study will be completed by spring or summer 2001. This will be followed by a public consultation on the options arising from it.
	The results will feed into an Air Transport White Paper, which will also take account of the Government's decisions in response to the Inspector's report on the Heathrow Terminal 5 inquiry.

Grammar School: Definition

Lord Patten: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is their definition of (a) a grammar school, and (b) "a pretty standard grammar school" in the phrase attributed to the Lord Privy Seal.

Baroness Blackstone: The School Standards and Framework Act 1998 defines a grammar school as one whose "admission arrangements make provision for all (or substantially all) of its pupils to be selected by reference to general ability, with a view to admitting only pupils with high ability". Between the late 1940s and late 1970s schools such as that attended by the Lord Privy Seal were known as direct grant grammar schools.

GCSE Point Scores

Baroness Blatch: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	In addition to the data given in the Written Answers by Lord Bach on 6 April (WA 151–152) and the Baroness Blackstone on 11 May (WA 232–233), whether they will publish data for the average GCSE point score per 15 year-old pupil for each decile of the distribution for:
	(a) all 15 year-old pupils in comprehensive schools;
	(b) all 15 year-old pupils in grammar schools; and
	(c) all 15 year-old pupils in secondary modern schools.

Baroness Blackstone: The average GCSE point score per 15 year-old pupil for each decile of the distribution is shown in the following table.
	
		
			  (a) (b) (c) 
			  Comprehensive Selective Modern 
			 Decile 1 3.1 37.4 2.5 
			 Decile 2 15.3 49.4 13.4 
			 Decile 3 23.9 53.6 20.7 
			 Decile 4 30.5 57.0 26.2 
			 Decile 5 36.2 59.9 31.0 
			 Decile 6 41.3 62.8 35.3 
			 Decile 7 46.1 65.8 39.5 
			 Decile 8 51.2 68.8 43.7 
			 Decile 9 57.3 72.7 48.7 
			 Decile 10 68.2 79.5 58.0 
		
	
	In the comprehensive sector there are about 48,000 pupils in each group quoted above compared with approximately 2,000 in the selective and modern ones.